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Jermain Defoe was delighted to extend his stay at Rangers, hailing it as a "special place with special fans" after signing a pre-contract to join the club permanently in the summer.

The Bournemouth striker's current loan deal runs out at the end of this season but the Ibrox outfit confirmed today the 37-year-old will stay on for one more year after he had agreed a deal with the Scottish Premiership side.

Defoe has scored 24 goals in 48 games since last year and has made himself an integral part of Steven Gerrard's team since arriving in January last year.

And while the former England international has witnessed a lot during his career, Defoe admitted he was taken aback by the club's support out in Dubai for their mid-season training camp.

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He told Rangers TV: "This is a special place with special fans with the support we get. Going to Dubai and going to the brunch, I walked into the room and just went ‘wow’.

“Getting that support over there was just something I’ve never seen before, and I have played for some great clubs, but that is something I have never seen before.

“I can understand why the manager said what he said to me when I first met him before I signed – and I am just so delighted I decided to come here and to sign another contract.”

The forward, who has 16 goals to his name already this campaign, is determined to keep bettering himself, admitting he still enjoys the sport and is striving to win more trophies with Rangers.

(Image: PA)

He added: “I’ve always worked hard first and foremost. I’ve always dedicated myself to give myself the best opportunity to do well – trying to tick every box and trying to recover and get myself ready for the games.

“At the same time, you want to manage yourself but I try to train as much as I can as I always believe you can improve – even if it is one per-cent.

“And I’ve said it before to the young lads, it doesn’t matter what you’ve achieved or how old you are, I always feel you can improve a little bit.

“I’m still loving it. I still wake up in the morning, look forward to training and still stay behind and do finishing.

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“I love the game. I still get that same buzz and there is no better feeling than scoring goals – especially for a club like this.

“I think because I have been there and had that experience, it’s helped me at this stage of my career to remember that and give something back because I was lucky enough to have that and I know how much it helped me.

“So I think to be at this stage of my career where I can help the youngsters – and to be fair to them, they all listen and there are some good youngsters coming through at this football club which is good for the club.

(Image: PA)

“I enjoy it and there is no better feeling than when you see a youngster coming through and doing well.

“You are so desperate to win the league and win cups and win all these trophies that you don’t want to be too tense and too anxious.

“You just want to try and relax and be calm and try to take each game as it comes and look forward to the next game – you don’t want to look too far ahead."